30-8-2023 (ST PETERSBURG) The funeral of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the prominent Russian mercenary leader who tragically lost his life in a plane crash last week, was conducted privately at a cemetery located on the outskirts of his hometown, St Petersburg, as confirmed by his press service on Tuesday.
In a concise Telegram message, his press service stated, “The farewell to Yevgeny Viktorovich took place in a closed format. Those who wish to say goodbye may visit Porokhovskoye cemetery,” accompanying the message with a photograph of Prigozhin.
The funeral arrangements for Prigozhin had been shrouded in secrecy following his untimely demise in a plane crash on August 23. It was exactly two months since he had orchestrated a mutiny, marking the most significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s rule since his ascent to power in 1999.
The day after the crash, President Putin extended his condolences to the families of the victims and acknowledged his long-standing acquaintance with Prigozhin dating back to the turbulent early 1990s. He described Prigozhin as a man with a complicated life journey, acknowledging his significant business acumen, while also acknowledging his substantial life mistakes.
The Kremlin vehemently dismissed allegations that President Putin had ordered Prigozhin’s demise as retribution for his role in the mutiny, branding such claims as “absolute lies.” Earlier on Tuesday, the Kremlin confirmed that President Putin would not be attending the funeral.
The decision to hold a private ceremony marked a notable departure from Prigozhin’s typically aggressive and self-publicising style. Russian news outlet MSK1.RU quoted cemetery staff who cited the family’s request for privacy as the reason behind this choice.
For the Kremlin, this private affair prevented the funeral from becoming a large-scale public demonstration of support for Prigozhin. He was a controversial figure, known for deploying his mercenary forces in some of the most intense battles of the Ukraine conflict and openly criticizing the Russian military and its leadership.
The plane crash also claimed the lives of two other high-ranking figures associated with the Wagner private military company, four of Prigozhin’s bodyguards, and three crew members. The Embraer Legacy 600 private jet crashed north of Moscow.
Earlier on Tuesday, Valery Chekalov, the head of Wagner logistics, was laid to rest at another cemetery in St Petersburg. At his burial, Chekalov’s family was joined by numerous individuals, some identified by Reuters as Wagner mercenaries and employees from Prigozhin’s extensive business empire.
Last week, US President Joe Biden commented that he was not surprised by Prigozhin’s death and suggested that in Russia, little happens without President Putin’s knowledge.
On Sunday, investigators confirmed through genetic testing the identities of all ten individuals who tragically lost their lives in the plane crash, which included two pilots and a flight attendant.
According to ru media, Prigozhin is being buried in a closed casket in St. Petersburg.
Putin will not be attending Prigozhin’s funeral – Peskov. He also stated that supposedly the Kremlin does not have specific information about the funeral. pic.twitter.com/pZDPTOZvCN
— Maria Drutska ???????? (@maria_drutska) August 29, 2023
